The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1920. THE TRAMWAYS LOAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1920. THE TRAMWAYS LOAN.

Those who take a real interest in the progress and expansion of New Plymouth cannot fail to be gratified at the ever-increasing growth of the population, especially in the outer areas of the borough. At the same time this involves serious responsibilities on the part of the Borough Council and the ratepayers if all parts of the borough are to receive those modern facilities which they have a right to expect. Manifestly these facilities can only be obtained by means of borrowed money. In normal times the raising of municipal loans for development purposes presented no difficulty, but at the present time it is imperative to restrict, loan expenditure to absolute essentials, not only because of the largely increased cost of labor and materials, but also on account of money being dearer as well as being considerably depreciated in its purchasing power. It may interest the ratepayers to know that the public debt of New Plymouth, including -loans authorised and now being raised, amounts to £505,001, of which £349.894 is revenue-pro-ducing, £231,46!) representing capital for electric light and tramways purposes. The expenditure on hydro-electric works (including reticulation) to March 31, 1919, amounted to £59,000, and for this 1000 h.p. was developed. In order to produce 2000 h.p. a further loan of £40,000 has since been raised, a loan of £72,000 is on the market, aud a further £60,000 is required, making a total of £231,000. The complete scheme is designed to provide 9000 h.p. There are two convincing reasons why the ratepayers should have no hesi-

tation in providing the authority for all the money required for hydro-elccti'ic development, namely: (1) It is a sound business proposition thai: will eventually relieve the burden of rates. (2) In Mr. Blair Mason, the designer of the engineering works, and in Mr. Bartley, the tramways engineer, the borough lias the advantage of two skilled experts in their respective professions that absolutely guarantees the attainment of the best possible results and the greatest efficiency. It is important to bear in mind that neither of these experts is likely to jeopardise his high reputation by countenancing experiments, so their proposals may be accepted with perfect confidence, and if any further assurance is required it is to be found in the fact that the Borough. General Manager may be relied upon to keep a constant watch over the interests of the ratepayers both as regards capital expenditure and the practical effect of all loan proposals. Under these circumstances the voting on (he three proposals which the ratepayers have to decide next Wednesday need riot present any difficulty. The £22,000 loan for the purchase of additional tramcars, oroviding a turntable, and enabling the present main route seri vice to meet the increased da-

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necessity. The present plant cannot cope with the traffic, especially at times of exceptional pressure, although every effort is made to, do so. The growth of the business is gratifying, but it is imperative that the facilities must keep abreast of the requirements, and that, as occasion necessitates, the necessary developments should be made. Whatever action the ratepayers may take over the Westown - Vogeltown extension proposals, they should make a point of being unanimous in voting for the £22,000 loan, which is essential to the success of the present service, and will give increased earning power, hesides effecting economies that would otherwise become increased charges. Of the two schemes for supplying tram services to "Westown m<\ Vogeltown, that for a loan of £27,000 for railless trams is alone worthy of consideration, as the £43,500 loan pro- I posal-for extending the tramway! track to David Street, and pro-! viding a railless service for Vogel- i town, cannot be regarded as any-j thing but a costly compromise I that has not the remotest chance of acceptance, even meeting with opposition from the Westown : people. It is a matter of regret ' that Westown should have taken i up the obdurate attitude that if it ! cannot get exactly what it wants, j it will not only try to block Vog- ! eltown from obtaining a suitable tram service, but will also vote against the £22.000 loan for the main route requirements. It is to be hoped, however, that, the bulk of the ratepayers of Westown will evince a more appropriate public spirit, and that the generality of i the burgesses in the borough will exhibit their good sense in voting for both the £22,000 and the £27,300 loan proposals. They are both sound projects, and will prove of great ,service in developing the irjim System as well as promoting the welfare of the borough and its people.